3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Suffering and difficulty always come with ministry. In verses 3-6, Paul presented three metaphors or illustrations for steadfast endurance and tenacity in ministry:
soldiers
athletes
farmers
2:3
You therefore must endure hardship [endure hardship with]
Everyone engaged in spiritual warfare endures many difficulties. “Hardship” in war requires a soldier’s determination to stay on dangerous combat duty. There are dangers in representing Christ to a hostile culture that soldiers must “endure” together; they were to endure hardship together with others. There is a common bond when ministers suffer for the sake of Christ together.
as a good [noble] soldier of Jesus Christ.
Soldiers must follow the command of their officers. Some soldiers do not respond to orders, with the accompanying defeat in battle. A soldier is one thing, but a “good” soldier is another. Christians are to be “good” soldiers “of Jesus Christ.” They faithfully represent all that He is and has done on their behalf.
PRINCIPLE:
A “good soldier” of Christ will go to the front lines in spiritual warfare for His Lord.
APPLICATION:
A good soldier of Christ is ready to do battle with satanic forces. This willingness will require personal rejection, scorn, and attacks by the enemies of the Lord. The standard for a soldier of Christ is determined devotion to the Lord.
Some people in the ministry expect few, if any, difficulties in their service to the Lord. However, Paul wrote in our verse that we should expect to “endure hardship.” Hardship is part and parcel of ministry. We can anticipate criticism, difficult people, and pressures of time, among many other issues.
